Strong Women, Strong Future

Published: 8th March 2021

Hello to everyone, first of all thank you for taking the time for this interview! Let's dive in with the first question: All five of you have something in common. You are all pursuing careers in STEM fields – how did you come to this decision?

Julia: “I've always liked math but a degree in math didn't seem to be the right fit for me. So, I looked for something that (roughly) covered my interests and was versatile at the same time. That's what I found in my degree programme – industrial engineering with a major in mechanical engineering. I never really thought about whether it was a STEM programme, what the percentage of women would be like later in my career, etc. I just did what I liked. I just do what I like.”

Ons: “Very early in my life I have come to realize that STEM plays a role in pretty much all of our surroundings. That realization, as well as an interest in making tasks easier and solving many of humanity's problems, was enough to spark my urge to contribute to this remarkably fascinating programme.”

Judith: “I feel similarly. I just find it interesting to understand how the Earth works and how it came to be. To not only acquire this knowledge, but also to apply it practically, for example to protect the earth, I think is even more awesome. That's why I find the combination of application and geosciences and the core topics of water, energy and environment great here at TU Darmstadt.”

Imke: “I have always enjoyed tricky tasks and the logical deduction of correlations from a very young age. I like to work creatively and very solution oriented. My colleagues describe my approach with the words ”can’t be done isn’t okay“. Today I know that I have found the right course of study for my strengths, but at the beginning I wasn't quite sure.”

Catalina: “Yes, totally! Even as a child, I asked myself many questions about the world around us that adults couldn't always give me an accurate answer to. That's why, since I was a kid, I wanted to become the person who could find the answers to those questions on my own. That's why I started studying engineering topics. Biomolecular engineering can open many doors for research and new discoveries. The idea of contributing motivates and inspires me as much as it did when I was a kid.”

Were there any particular hurdles that you specifically faced as women? If so, how did you deal with them and how did you overcome them?

Catalina: “My parents tried every way they could think of to convince me not to pursue such a major, saying that this profession is not for women. They suggested something simpler with a focus on creativity, business or social sciences. What they didn't consider, however: Even science, is impossible to do without communication and creativity.”

Julia: “In part, I was confronted with questions such as, 'Will you be able to find a job later?' I know there are still differences between men and women both in society and in working life and all other areas. That needs to be changed. But that is only possible if there is a commitment to it and every woman can do what she wants, be it professionally, or privately. And I want to do my part by doing what I like.”

Imke: “Of course, I had some negative experiences as a woman in a male domain. The most formative for me was in a supervisor-student situation where I had to deal with advances. Overall, though, it has taught me to stand up for myself and to address injustice openly and without fear of consequences. Working with a woman is not very established yet. In our environment at least, but I'm happy about the steady increase of women at my institute and I think working in mixed teams is great.”

What advice can you give to students who want to study STEM?

Imke: “If you are interested in studying STEM, you should definitely go for it and don't underestimate yourself! In most cases, more men than women drop out of their studies, because they made a rash decision in favor of a stereotypical field of study. The interest in a course of study already shows a relevant engagement with the field, which you should definitely pursue. And once you enter the degree, find a study group that sees you as an equal and that you enjoy spending time with.”

Ons: “If you feel you are up to the challenge, don't let anything stop you. My best advice is to never lose your voice. There are a million different ways to solve a problem. And thinking outside the box is exactly what this industry needs.”

Julia: “That's right, take heart! No matter what anyone else says, if you like it, are good at it, or want to make a career in this field, do it! In the end, it's your life and you have to be satisfied and happy with it. It's a lot of work, everyone has to realize that, and you should be ready for it. But in the end, it's fun and you can achieve your goals, whatever they may be.”

Judith: “Believe in yourself, do what interests you and what you enjoy. If someone thinks you can't do something, prove them wrong. If you don't understand something, ask for help.”

Catalina: “I couldn't agree more! I always say science is a real adventure. Try it out and be part of that adventure!”

Thank you times a million for your motivating words and of course for your time! And for all the people interested in learning even more about studying STEM as a woman at TU Darmstadt: Information from the Central Student Counseling and Orientation on STEM degree programmes can be found here.